WO2021145885A1

WO2021145885A1 - Packaging enclosures for microfluidic dispense cassettes

Info

Publication number: WO2021145885A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/014010
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vignesh KANNAN; Kenneth Duda
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2020-01-17
Filing date: 2020-01-17
Publication date: 2021-07-22

Abstract

A packaging enclosure for microfluidic dispense cassettes can include a base cassette receiver including an inner surface defining pockets to individually receive microfluidic dispense cassettes. The packaging enclosure can include a lid that is closable over the base cassette receiver. The packaging enclosure can include a hinge that connects the lid to the base cassette receiver. The packaging enclosure can include a retaining feature to hold individual microfluidic dispense cassettes in place when placed within individual pockets.

Description

PACKAGING ENCLOSURES FOR MICROFLUIDIC DISPENSE CASSETTES

BACKGROUND

[0001] Microfluidic dispensing systems have applicability within a wide range of industries, including pharmaceutical, life science research, medical, printing, electronics manufacturing, and other industries. Manual fluid dispensing systems such as pipettes are increasingly being replaced by automated pipetting or microfluidic dispensing systems that can provide a high degree of accuracy and repeatability with improved dispense throughput. Industries can employ such automated, precision microfluidic dispensing systems for a variety of purposes, including for the preparation of biological and pharmaceutical assays, the delivery of fluid ink drops to various print media, the dispensing of adhesive materials in an accurate and repeatable manner, and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an example microfluidic dispensing system including a microfluidic dispense cassette in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0003] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example packaging enclosure for microfluidic dispense cassettes in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0004] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an example microfluidic dispense cassette packaging system for microfluidic dispense cassettes in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0005] FIG. 4 is a side view of a pocket of an example packaging enclosure to hold a microfluidic dispense cassette via a friction fit in accordance with the present disclosure; [0006] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of an example two-dimensional array of multiple pockets in a base cassette receiver of a packaging enclosure in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of multiple example packaging enclosures in a closed position for stacking in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0008] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of example protruding features on a lid of a packaging enclosure in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example packaging enclosure, with an exterior view of a lid thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0010] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of packaging or storing microfluidic dispense cassettes in a packaging enclosure in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The present disclosure describes a packaging enclosure, a method and a system related to holding microfluidic dispense cassettes. In one example, a packaging enclosure for microfluidic dispense cassettes includes a base cassette receiver with an inner surface defining pockets to individually receive microfluidic dispense cassettes. The packaging enclosure also includes a lid that is closable over the base cassette receiver. The packaging enclosure also includes a hinge that connects the lid to the base cassette receiver. The packaging enclosure also includes a retaining feature associated with individual pockets to hold individual microfluidic dispense cassettes in place at the individual pockets. In one example, the retaining feature is associated with the pockets of the base cassette receiver, and the pockets are shaped to retain the microfluidic dispense cassettes with a friction fit therewith. In another example, individual pockets are shaped to partially cover a first end of a microfluidic dispense cassette when inserted therein leaving a portion of the first end uncovered. In yet another example, the retaining feature is associated with both the individual pockets as well as individual cavities at an inner surface of the lid, and individual cavities are aligned with individual pockets when the lid is closed against the base cassette receiver to accommodate a first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in an individual pocket of the base cassette receiver and a second end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in a corresponding individual cavity of the lid to hold the microfluidic dispense cassette in place. In one example, the lid and the base cassette receiver both include an outer surface, where the outer surface of the lid or the base cassette receiver includes a protruding feature, and the outer surface of the lid or the base cassette receiver also includes a recessed feature, and the protruding feature and the recessed feature are positioned so that when the packaging enclosure is closed, multiple packaging enclosures can be stacked without allowing for movement in a horizontal direction due to engagement between the protruding feature and the recessed feature. In another example, the base cassette receiver includes a two-dimensional array of pockets to hold from 4 to 100 microfluidic dispense cassettes. In yet another example, one or more of the lid or the base cassette receiver is composed of a transparent or semi-transparent material sufficient to allow for visibility of the microfluidic dispense cassette that may be present within the packaging enclosure. In a further example, one or more of the lid or the base cassette receiver is composed of an anti-static material sufficient to protect against damage to the microfluidic dispense cassette that may be present within the packaging enclosure. In yet a further example, the lid and the base cassette receiver can form a clam-shell container including the hinge connecting the lid and the base cassette receiver that accommodates the clam-shell container being opened 90 to 180 degrees with respect to the lid and the base cassette receiver.

[0012] In another example, a microfluidic dispense cassette packaging system includes a plurality of microfluidic dispense cassettes which individually include a first end and a second end. The microfluidic dispense cassette packaging system includes a packaging enclosure. The packaging enclosure includes a base cassette receiver including an inner surface defining pockets to individually receive the microfluidic dispense cassettes. The packaging enclosure includes a lid that is closable over the base cassette receiver. The packaging enclosure includes a hinge that connects the lid to the base cassette receiver. The packaging enclosure includes a retaining feature to hold individual microfluidic dispense cassettes in place when placed within individual pockets. In one example, the retaining feature can be associated with the pockets of the base cassette receiver, and the pockets are shaped to retain the microfluidic dispense cassettes with a friction fit therewith. In another example, the retaining feature can be associated with both the individual pockets as well as individual cavities at an inner surface of the lid. Individual cavities in this example can be aligned with individual pockets when the lid is closed against the base cassette receiver to accommodate a first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in an individual pocket of the base cassette receiver and a second end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in a corresponding individual cavity of the lid to hold the microfluidic dispense cassette in place.

[0013] In another example, a method of packaging or storing microfluidic dispense cassettes in a packaging enclosure includes individually placing microfluidic dispense cassettes into individual pockets of a base cassette receiver. The method further includes closing a lid over the base cassette receiver that is connected to the base cassette receiver by a hinge. The method further includes engaging a retaining feature between individual microfluidic dispense cassettes and the packaging enclosure to retain the individual microfluidic dispense cassettes within their respective individual pockets. In one example, the retaining feature can be associated with the pockets of the base cassette receiver, and the pockets can be shaped to retain the microfluidic dispense cassettes with a friction fit therewith. In another example, the retaining feature can be associated with both the individual pockets as well as individual cavities at an inner surface of the lid. The individual cavities can be aligned with individual pockets when the lid is closed against the base cassette receiver to accommodate a first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in an individual pocket of the base cassette receiver and a second end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in a corresponding individual cavity of the lid, to thereby hold the microfluidic dispense cassette in place. In another example, in addition to packaging or storage, the enclosure can also be a dispenser. In this example, the method can further include removing, inserting, or both removing and inserting individual microfluidic dispense cassettes into individual pockets when the packaging enclosure is in an open configuration.

[0014] In these examples, it is noted that when discussing the packaging enclosure, the method or the system, any of such discussions can be considered applicable to the other examples, whether or not they are explicitly discussed in the context of that example. Thus, for example, in discussing details about a packaging enclosure for microfluidic dispense cassettes, such discussion also relates to the systems and methods described herein, and vice versa.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a microfluidic dispenser 100. The microfluidic dispenser in this example can be an instrument designed to dispense pico-liter or other quantities of biological fluids into well-plates, or other vessels, using disposable microfluidic dispense cassettes 104. While the microfluidic dispenser is illustrated and described herein in terms of a microfluidic dispenser useful in pharmaceutical, biological, and other life science research, for example, in testing drug dose responses, independent titrations, and for other low-volume dispensing, it is to be understood that the described mechanisms and concepts can apply in a similar manner to other fluid dispensing devices.

[0016] The microfluidic dispenser 100 can include a receiving station 102 to receive a microfluidic dispense cassette 104 that includes microfluidic dispense head(s) 106. The microfluidic dispense head(s) can be an inkjet printhead, such as a thermal inkjet printhead or a piezo inkjet printhead, and can include ejection nozzle(s) 108. Further, the microfluidic dispenser can be used as part of a system which includes a well plate 116, which includes numerous wells 114 for example, into which fluid drops can be dispensed from the microfluidic dispense head(s) of the microfluidic dispense cassette. A well plate transport assembly 118 can position and reposition the well plate and wells relative to the dispense heads as fluid droplets are being dispensed. Thus, a fluid dispense zone 112 can be defined adjacent to the ejection nozzles in an area between the dispense heads and the wells on the well plate. There can be other ways of distributing fluids from a microfluidic dispenser to this or other similar type of substrate, but this design is shown by way of example for illustrative purposes.

[0017] In one example, the microfluidic dispense cassettes to be used in the microfluidic dispenser are disposable and customers periodically order new microfluidic dispense cassettes from a supplier. The microfluidic dispense cassettes can be delivered to customers in a packaging enclosure. For example, the supplier can deliver a bulk container having multiple packaging enclosures to customers, and individual packaging enclosures can hold multiple microfluidic dispense cassettes. However, the microfluidic dispense cassettes can be lightweight and fragile, thereby being susceptible to damage during delivery of the packaging enclosure(s) or during storage of the packaging enclosure(s) after delivery. In addition, a packaging enclosure could include slots that provide a poor fit around individual microfluidic dispense cassettes in the packaging enclosure, which can lead to movement and possible damage to the microfluidic dispense cassettes during delivery or subsequent storage of the packaging enclosure. Further, the bulk container can often include multiple packaging enclosures that are stacked on top of one another, and movement of the packaging enclosures during delivery or storage with respect to one another can also cause damage to the microfluidic dispense cassettes.

[0018] In the present technology, a packaging enclosure for microfluidic dispense cassettes is described. The packaging enclosure can be clam-shell container in shape and can firmly hold the microfluidic dispense cassettes in place. Individual microfluidic dispense cassettes can be physically removed from the packaging enclosure. The packaging enclosure can include several design features that allow the microfluidic dispense cassettes to be firmly held in place. For example, the packaging enclosure can include a pocket that provides a friction fit, e.g., pressure hold, on a given microfluidic dispense cassette. In addition, or alternatively, the microfluidic dispense cassette can be held firmly in place between the pocket and a cavity on a lid of the packaging enclosure. The pocket and the cavity can securely hold the microfluidic dispense cassettes in place, thereby protecting the microfluidic dispense cassettes against damage during delivery or storage. By using the pockets and in some cases the cavities to hold the microfluidic dispense cassettes, the packaging enclosure can be rotated and moved in a reasonable manner (e.g., gently handled but not thrown) with minimal movement of the microfluidic dispense cassettes within the packaging enclosure.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a packaging enclosure 200 for microfluidic dispense cassettes, such as those shown and described in FIG. 1 and hereinafter, for example. The packaging enclosure can include a base cassette receiver 202 including an inner surface defining pockets 208 to individually receive the microfluidic dispense cassettes. The packaging enclosure can also include a lid 204 that is closable over the base cassette receiver, as well as a hinge 206 that connects the lid to the base cassette receiver. The packaging enclosure can include a retaining feature to hold individual microfluidic dispense cassettes in place when placed within individual pockets. The retaining feature can be a single feature or multiple features, and is shown in more detail hereinafter in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. The retaining feature can be associated with the pockets of the base cassette receiver, and the pockets can be shaped to retain the microfluidic dispense cassettes with a friction fit, e.g., pressure hold on a given microfluidic dispense cassette.

[0020] In one example, the packaging enclosure 200 can be composed of a transparent or semi-transparent material sufficient to allow for visibility of microfluidic dispense cassettes that may be present within the packaging enclosure. In another example, the lid 204 and/or the base cassette receiver 202 can be composed of a transparent or semi-transparent material sufficient to allow for visibility of microfluidic dispense cassettes that may be present within the packaging enclosure. Visibility of the microfluidic dispense cassettes when the lid is closed can be useful to a consumer for identifying a product without opening the packaging enclosure. In yet another example, a portion of the lid and/or the base cassette receiver (e.g., a window of the lid or base cassette receiver) can be composed of the transparent or semi-transparent material. The transparent or semi-transparent material can refer to a material that allows light to pass through so that the microfluidic dispense cassettes within the packaging enclosure are visible to consumers. Examples of transparent or semi-transparent material include glass or thermoformed plastic, such as acrylic, polycarbonate, polyurethane or other suitable polymer plastics.

[0021] In one example, the packaging enclosure 200, including the lid 204 and/or the base cassette receiver 202, can be composed of an anti-static material sufficient to protect against damage to the microfluidic dispense cassettes that may be present within the packaging enclosure. For example, static could otherwise damage electrical components of the microfluidic dispense cassettes within the packaging enclosure. In one example, materials used to build the lid and base cassette receiver of the packaging enclosure can be anti-static in nature. Alternatively, the materials used to build the lid and base cassette receiver of the packaging enclosure can be sprayed or coated with an anti-static agent.

[0022] In another example, the lid 204 and the base cassette receiver 202 can form a clam-shell container including the hinge 206 connecting the lid and the base cassette receiver that accommodates the clam-shell container being opened 90 to 180 degrees (or more) with respect to the lid and the base cassette receiver. In other words, the packaging enclosure 200 can be claim-shell in configuration, and the lid can be opened 90 to 180 degrees (or more) to allow microfluidic dispense cassettes within the packaging enclosure to be physically retrieved by a consumer. In one example, when open, the clam-shell container can be designed to lay flat on a flat surface, such as a table top or science bench surface.

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an example microfluidic dispense cassette packaging system 300 for a plurality of microfluidic dispense cassettes 104. The microfluidic dispense cassettes can include a first end 312 and a second end 314. In further detail, the microfluidic dispense cassette packaging system can include a packaging enclosure, such as that shown by example in FIG. 2 and shown schematically at 200 in FIG. 3. The packaging enclosure can include a base cassette receiver 202 including an inner surface 322 and defining pockets 208 to individually receive the microfluidic dispense cassettes. In this example, two of the pockets are shown as having a microfluidic dispense cassette therein, and one of the pockets is shown as being empty. The packaging enclosure can include a lid 204 that is closable over the base cassette receiver. The packaging enclosure can include a hinge 206 that connects the lid to the base cassette receiver.

[0024] In one example, the packaging enclosure 200 can include a retaining feature 318, which can be a single feature that retains the microfluidic dispense cassette 104, or can be multiple features that retain the microfluidic dispense cassette. In FIG. 3, the retaining feature is shown as being included at both the first end 312 and the second end 314 of the microfluidic dispense cassette. Thus, the retaining feature can hold individual microfluidic dispense cassettes in place when placed within individual pockets 208 of the base cassette receiver. Flowever, in one example, the retaining feature can also be associated with both a pocket in the base cassette receiver as well as a cavity 316 at an inner surface 320 of the lid 204. The cavity can be aligned with the pocket when the lid is closed against the base cassette receiver to accommodate the first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in the pocket of the base cassette receiver and the second end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in the corresponding cavity of the lid to hold the microfluidic dispense cassette in place. Therefore, the retaining feature can be associated with both individual pockets as well as individual cavities at the inner surface of the lid, and the individual cavities can be aligned with the individual pockets when the lid is closed against the base cassette receiver in order to hold microfluidic dispense cassettes in place.

[0025] In one example, the pocket 208 and/or the retaining feature 318 can be shaped to retain a microfluidic dispense cassette 104 with a friction fit. For example, a width dimension X, a length dimension Y and a depth dimension Z of the pocket and/or the retaining feature can be designed to hold the microfluidic dispense cassette firmly in place with the use of friction and/or pressure. The microfluidic dispense cassette can contact a base of the pocket and/or the retaining feature. In order to obtain the tight friction fit, a wall draft associated with the pocket and/or the retaining feature can be reduced down to approximately zero and the dimensions of the pocket and/or the retaining feature can be adjusted to obtain a tighter fit for the microfluidic dispense cassette.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an example pocket 208 of a packaging enclosure to hold a microfluidic dispense cassette 104. The pocket can include or be associated with a retaining feature 318. In this instance, the retaining feature includes cassette receiving slots 210 to receive a first end 312 of the microfluidic dispense cassette. The first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette can be inserted into the pocket (supported by the retaining feature). The pocket or retaining feature can include a wall 402 to cover a portion of the first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette when inserted therein leaving a portion of the first end uncovered, for example. This can be implemented to avoid damage, for example, to portions of the cassette that may be susceptible to damage. For example, the pocket and/or the wall of the retaining feature can be shaped to partially cover certain areas of the microfluidic dispense cassette while leaving other areas uncovered, such as areas that include electrical pads or other electrical components. The wall can include features to support the microfluidic dispense cassette in both a width direction X and a length direction Y, and the wall can provide that the microfluidic dispense cassette be held perpendicular to the base of the pocket and/or the retaining feature. The wall can be in contact with the microfluidic dispense cassette and hold the microfluidic dispense cassette in place using friction and/or pressure, e.g., a friction fit. Thus, in this example, the retaining feature can provide a friction fit at the first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette.

[0027] As mentioned, in one example, the pocket 208 and/or the retaining feature 318 with the cassette receiving slots 210 can provide a symmetric frictional contact, such that a left surface and a right surface contact the microfluidic dispense cassette 104 at a same place, thereby ensuring that the microfluidic dispense cassette can be placed into the pocket in a forward position and a position that is 180 degrees from the forward position. The symmetric frictional contact can be important when microfluidic dispense cassettes are robotically extracted from a packaging enclosure as opposed to being manually retrieved by a human user.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an example two-dimensional array of pockets 208 in a base cassette receiver 202 of a packaging enclosure. For example, the two-dimensional array of pockets can hold from 4 to 100 microfluidic dispense cassettes. In the particular example shown in FIG. 5, the two-dimensional array of pockets can be a 5 x 6 matrix having 30 pockets. Individual pockets in the two-dimensional array can hold a given microfluidic dispense cassette. Therefore, in this example, the 30 pockets can hold 30 microfluidic dispense cassettes. Other dimensional and/or numerical arrays can be used with this or other type of configuration.

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates multiple packaging enclosures 200A, 200B in a closed position in position for stacking. In this configuration, the microfluidic dispense cassettes (not shown) can be present therein, or the clam-shell container can be empty, or may be partially filled with the microfluidic dispense cassettes. As shown, packaging enclosures include a protruding feature 608A, 608B and a recessed feature 606A, 606B, respectively. For convenience, the packaging enclosure can be referred to as a first packaging enclosure 200A and a second packaging enclosure 200B. Thus, in this arrangement, the second packaging enclosure can be placed on top of the first packaging enclosure so that recessed features 606B can be placed over protruding features 608A. This can allow for minimal or reduced movement in a horizontal direction between the first packaging enclosure and the second packaging enclosure. In other words, the protruding feature and the recessed feature can provide an ability to stack multiple packaging enclosures on top of one another with reduced movement between the packaging enclosures, which can prevent damage to microfluidic dispense cassettes within the packaging enclosures. In one example, the ability to stack multiple packaging enclosures with reduced movement between the packaging enclosures can be beneficial when the multiple packaging enclosures are packaged in a single box that is being delivered to a consumer. In addition, after receiving the delivered box, the consumer may stack multiple packaging enclosures on top of one another on a storage shelf or rack, and engagement between the protruding feature(s) and the recessed feature(s) of the adjacently stacked packaging enclosure can prevent movement.

[0030] Also as shown in FIG. 6, the first packaging enclosure 200A can include a base cassette receiver 202A and a lid 204A. The base cassette receiver of the first packaging enclosure can include an outer surface that defines recessed feature 606A. The recessed feature can be associated with a groove between pocket(s) from within the base cassette receiver, for example. Further, the lid of the first packaging enclosure can include an outer surface that can define the protruding feature 608A. Similarly, the second packaging enclosure 200B (to be stacked or stacked on top of the first packaging enclosure) can also include a base cassette receiver 202B and a lid 204B. The base cassette receiver of the second packaging enclosure can include an outer surface that defines the recessed feature 606, and the lid of the second packaging enclosure can include an outer surface that defines the protruding feature 608B. Thus, in one example, the recessed feature 606B of the second packaging enclosure 200B can be inserted over the protruding feature 608A of the first packaging enclosure 200A when the second packaging enclosure is stacked on top of the first packaging enclosure. As a result, the second packaging enclosure can be prevented from moving in a horizontal direction in relation to the first packaging enclosure that is beneath the second packaging enclosure, thereby protecting against damage to microfluidic dispense cassettes within the first and second packaging enclosures. In other words, the protruding feature of the first packaging device and the recessed feature of the second packaging device can be positioned such that when the first and second packaging enclosures are closed, the first and second packaging enclosures can be stacked on top of one another without allowing for movement in the horizontal direction due to engagement between the protruding feature of the first packaging device and the recessed feature of the second packaging device. In one example, multiple protruding features can protrude from the outer surface of the respective lid. For example, a protruding feature can protrude from the four corners of the outer surface or from other preselected locations of the outer surface. Similarly, multiple recessed features can be included at the outer surface of the base cassette receiver. For example, a recessed feature can be included at the four corners of the outer surface or from other preselected locations of the outer surface.

[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a protruding feature 608 on a lid 204 of a packaging enclosure 200. The protruding feature can engage with a recessed feature of a second packaging enclosure that sits on top of the packaging enclosure. More specifically, the protruding feature can engage with the recessed feature, which may be associated with a groove between pockets of a base cassette receiver included in the second packaging enclosure. In one example, the protruding feature can be integrated with the lid of the packaging enclosure, e.g., the protruding feature and the lid are the same material. Alternatively, the protruding feature can be formed of a material that is different than the material used to form the lid.

[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective top view of a packaging enclosure 200, with specific emphasis shown related to the lid 204 and some detail shown relative to the base cassette receiver 202. The lid, as shown in this example, can include an outer surface 605 and an inner surface (not shown here, but shown in perspective view in FIG. 2). A protruding feature 608 can protrude from the outer surface of the lid. Cavities (not shown in this view, but present at about 316 along an inner surface of the lid) can be aligned with individual pockets within the packaging enclosure when the lid is closed against a base cassette receiver 202, which can accommodate a microfluidic dispense cassette being held in place inside the packaging enclosure. The base cassette receiver can be closed with the lid using a hinge 206, for example. More specifically, a first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette can be placed in an individual pocket of the base cassette receiver and a second end of the microfluidic dispense cassette can be placed in a corresponding individual cavity of the lid.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one example method 900 of packaging or storing microfluidic dispense cassettes in a packaging enclosure. The method can include individually placing 910 microfluidic dispense cassettes into individual pockets of a base cassette receiver. The method further includes closing 920 a lid over the base cassette receiver that is connected to the base cassette receiver by a hinge. The method further includes engaging 930 a retaining feature between individual microfluidic dispense cassettes and the packaging enclosure to retain the individual microfluidic dispense cassettes within their respective individual pockets. In one example, the retaining feature can be associated with the pockets in the base cassette receiver, and wherein the pockets are shaped to retain the microfluidic dispense cassettes with a friction fit. In another example, the retaining feature can be associated with both the individual pockets as well as individual cavities at an inner surface of the lid, and individual cavities are aligned with individual pockets when the lid is closed against the base cassette receiver to accommodate a first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in an individual pocket of the base cassette receiver and a second end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in a corresponding individual cavity of the lid, to thereby hold the microfluidic dispense cassette in place. In yet another example, in addition to packaging or storage, the enclosure can also be a dispenser, and the method further includes removing and/or inserting individual microfluidic dispense cassettes into individual pockets when the packaging enclosure is in an open configuration.

[0034] While the flowcharts presented for this disclosure can imply a specific order of execution, the order of execution can differ from what is illustrated. For example, the order of two or more blocks can be rearranged relative to the order shown. Further, two or more blocks shown in succession can be executed in parallel or with partial parallelization. In some configurations, block(s) shown in the flow chart can be omitted or skipped. A number of counters, state variables, warning semaphores, or messages can be added to the logical flow for purposes of enhanced utility, accounting, performance, measurement, troubleshooting or for similar reasons. [0035] It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms ”a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, in referring to “a nozzle,” this includes a single nozzle, but could also be multiple nozzles, depending on the fluid volume to be dispensed relative to the drop volume size ejectable from individual nozzles.

[0036] As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint. The degree of flexibility of this term can be dictated by the particular variable and determined based on the associated description herein.

[0037] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though individual members of the list are individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary.

[0038] Sizes, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, and also to include individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if individual numerical values and sub-ranges are explicitly recited. As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%” should be interpreted to include the explicitly recited values of about 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, and also to include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3.5, 10, 15, and sub-ranges such as from 1 -10, from 2-15, and from 10-20, etc. This same principle applies to ranges reciting a single numerical value. Furthermore, such an interpretation should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described.

[0039] The above illustrates an example of the present disclosure. However, it is to be understood that the above is merely illustrative of the application of the present disclosure. Numerous modifications and alternative devices, methods, and systems may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements.

Claims

CLAIMS What is Claimed Is:

1. A packaging enclosure for microfluidic dispense cassettes, comprising: a base cassette receiver including an inner surface defining pockets to individually receive microfluidic dispense cassettes; a lid that is closable over the base cassette receiver; a hinge that connects the lid to the base cassette receiver; and a retaining feature associated with individual pockets to hold individual microfluidic dispense cassettes in place at the individual pockets of the base cassette receiver.

2. The packaging enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the retaining feature is associated with the pockets of the base cassette receiver, wherein the pockets are shaped to retain the microfluidic dispense cassettes with a friction fit therewith.

3. The packaging enclosure of claim 1 , wherein individual pockets are shaped to partially cover a first end of a microfluidic dispense cassette when inserted therein while leaving a portion of the first end uncovered.

4. The packaging enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the retaining feature is associated with both the individual pockets as well as individual cavities at an inner surface of the lid, wherein individual cavities are aligned with individual pockets when the lid is closed against the base cassette receiver to accommodate a first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in an individual pocket of the base cassette receiver and a second end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in a corresponding individual cavity of the lid to hold the microfluidic dispense cassette in place.

5. The packaging enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the lid and the base cassette receiver both include an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the lid or the base cassette receiver includes a protruding feature, and the outer surface of the other of the lid or the base cassette receiver includes a recessed feature, wherein the protruding feature and the recessed feature are positioned so that when the packaging enclosure is closed, multiple packaging enclosures can be stacked without allowing for movement in a horizontal direction due to engagement between the protruding feature and the recessed feature.

6. The packaging enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the base cassette receiver includes a two-dimensional array of pockets to hold from 4 to 100 microfluidic dispense cassettes.

7. The packaging enclosure of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the lid or the base cassette receiver is composed of a transparent or semi-transparent material sufficient to allow for visibility of microfluidic dispense cassette that may be present within the packaging enclosure.

8. The packaging enclosure of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the lid or the base cassette receiver is composed of an anti-static material sufficient to protect against damage to the microfluidic dispense cassette that may be present within the packaging enclosure.

9. The packaging enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the lid and the base cassette receiver form a clam-shell container including the hinge connecting the lid and the base cassette receiver that accommodates the clam-shell container being opened 90 to 180 degrees with respect to the lid and the base cassette receiver.

10. A microfluidic dispense cassette packaging system, comprising: a plurality of microfluidic dispense cassettes which individually include a first end and a second end; and a packaging enclosure, comprising: a base cassette receiver including an inner surface defining pockets to individually receive the microfluidic dispense cassettes, a lid that is closable over the base cassette receiver, a hinge that connects the lid to the base cassette receiver, and a retaining feature to hold individual microfluidic dispense cassettes in place when placed within individual pockets.

11. The microfluidic dispense cassette packaging system of claim 10, wherein the retaining feature is associated with the pockets of the base cassette receiver, wherein the pockets are shaped to retain the microfluidic dispense cassettes with a friction fit therewith.

12. The microfluidic dispense cassette packaging system of claim 10, wherein the retaining feature is associated with both the individual pockets as well as individual cavities at an inner surface of the lid, wherein individual cavities are aligned with individual pockets when the lid is closed against the base cassette receiver to accommodate a first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in an individual pocket of the base cassette receiver and a second end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in a corresponding individual cavity of the lid to hold the microfluidic dispense cassette in place.

13. A method of packaging or storing microfluidic dispense cassettes in a packaging enclosure, comprising: individually placing microfluidic dispense cassettes into individual pockets of a base cassette receiver; closing a lid that over the base cassette receiver that is connected to the base cassette receiver by a hinge; and engaging a retaining feature between individual microfluidic dispense cassettes and the packaging enclosure to retain the individual microfluidic dispense cassettes within their respective individual pockets.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein: the retaining feature is associated with the pockets of the base cassette receiver, wherein the pockets are shaped to retain the microfluidic dispense cassettes with a friction fit therewith; or the retaining feature is associated with both the individual pockets as well as individual cavities at an inner surface of lid, wherein individual cavities are aligned with individual pockets when the lid is closed against the base cassette receiver to accommodate a first end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in an individual pocket of the base cassette receiver and a second end of the microfluidic dispense cassette to be placed in a corresponding individual cavity of the lid, to thereby hold the microfluidic dispense cassette in place.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein in addition to packaging or storage, the enclosure is also a dispenser, wherein the method further includes removing, inserting, or both removing and inserting individual microfluidic dispense cassettes into individual pockets when the packaging enclosure is in an open configuration.